“Two years ago, I started a blog here on WordPress with the intention of becoming a published author.”
At that time, I already knew publishers and agents were looking for writers who could market themselves, who already had a following. Thus, it was imperative to have an established online presence. Well, two years later, I’m still unpublished. However, I’m okay with that. And my blog has becoming something else entirely.
Over the last two years I’ve learned so much about the publishing industry, about marketing, about books, about readers and the community, and I’ve become far more critical of what I read. In turn, I’ve become far more critical of what I write. I may not be published, but maybe that’s because I wasn’t ready. Maybe my stories and my writing weren’t at an appropriate skill level for me to be published, and maybe they will be soon.
I’ve improved a lot over the past couple years. I can tell. And that will only better my chances of becoming published and sharing my stories with all of you lovely, amazing readers and bloggers in the future. For now, though, I will focus on honing those writing skills further, focus on furthering my reach, focus on broadening minds of my fellow readers, and…
I’ll focus on my blog.
My blog has seen some amazing changes over the last two years. It was blue and now it’s black (even more black as of today π). I started out with a nice-looking theme, only to realize that my blogging (and personality) style is less flowery and much starker, stronger, snarkier.Β π I’ve transferred from posting fiction pieces to posting book reviews. I put more emphasis on actual conversations with my readers rather than the stats. I’ve opened my mind to others’ opinions rather than just spouting my own ideas about the literary world and all it entails.
I feel like my blog has helped me to understand myself, to feel more confident in my opinions and accept that I’m usually of the unpopular opinion π, but it’s also taught me to bend when I am wrong and to listen to those around me who know more than I do. It’s taught me to highlight others and has helped me understand the concept of community.
To welcome and invite those who have different personalities to join me and share my space so that they might be showcased and given the same love I’ve received from the amazing people that visit, comment on, and support my blog each week. Yet, I think one of the more important aspects I’ve learned over the last two years of blogging is:
“I’m never gonna get this right.”
Hahaha! That might sound horrible, but the truth is there is no ‘right.’ You’re always going to look back at a post, a theme, an idea and think ‘I should’ve done it differently,’ or, in my case: “CRAP! Another typo!Β π€” The truth is, there is no right way to blog. There is no wrong way to blog because blogging is an extension of your personality and who you are and there is no right or wrong to you.
You are yourself.Β π
Plain and simple.
That being said, myself is always changing. I’m always adapting to new things, new people, new… whatever! Hahaha! That’s the side effect of having an open mind. My viewpoints and interests are never the same from one year to the next. (Well… I mean, most of them are.Β π) But many things change and speaking of changes, here are a few new implementations starting for my 2nd Blog-o-versary!
Changes
I have learned so much in the two years since I started blogging and it’s changed so much and even now I’ve changed quite a few more things, as you likely have noticed.
- Today I switched to a slightly darker theme with new (un-copyrighted) header pictures.
- I updated my menu with some new pages. Check ’em out! Clicky clicky!
- I added a new item to my footer: Next Book Review & Next Audiobook Review. So everyone will know what Sunday’s & Wednesday’s book review will be.Β βΊοΈ
- I re-wrote my ‘About Me’ page & my short bio in the side-bar. Read ’em and weep.
- I have adjusted my categories a bit and their respective header images for the main page of my blog. Oo! More black.Β π
- I will no longer be accepting any tags or awards on my blog. (see below)
Tags/Awards
I feel as though I’ve reached a point in my blogging career where everyone pretty much already got to know me (which is the purpose of awards and tags). So, I’m going to request that everyone give their awards and tags to newer bloggers who are just starting out because, trust me, it will really make their day.Β π
Still, I want to thank all the wonderful people who tagged me and nominated me for awards recently. I’m sorry that I didn’t have time to get to all of them before my Blog-o-versary, but I had a lot of posts scheduled these last few months. Still, thank you to Flavia the Bibliophile,Β Michaela @ Journey Into Books, Ashley & Sabrina @ 5171 Miles Book Blog, Naty @ Naty’s Bookshelf, Ang @ Egg Reader, James @ This is My Truth Now, CEB & MLC @ M&C Crazy Book Blog, and Melissa @ Melissa’s BookWorld. Everyone should check out these amazing blogs, by the way! *hint hint* *nudge nudge*Β π
I honestly have SOOOO much more I could say for this post (as I’m sure you lovely people all know [because I never know how to shut upΒ π]), but I will say one more thing for this post…
THANK YOU!
My blog wouldn’t be here without all of your wonderful support, comments, and interaction. I blog to interact, to chat, to make reading a social activity.
Who ever said readers were antisocial?Β π
Huge congrats!!
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Thank you! π
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Congrats on your 2nd blogiversary! πππππππ
Hope you’ll have many more to come. π
It sounds like you’ve learned a lot and made quite a bit of changes! I agree we’ll never get it “right”, there’s no such thing as perfection after all. I always find more typos too, even after I thought I got them all. π
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Thank you, Nicolle! I’m hoping for enough time for many more to come. :p
And yes I have. Hee hee! Typos without an editor always exist (my novels have been proof of that one. :p )
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Haha, my novels are proof too. π
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Congrats on the anniversary! You are awesome and unique and you are very dedicated and hard working so I know you will get published when the time is right! β€
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Awwww! Thank you, Adrienne! That means a lot to me. π And I hope you’re right. Though, I’m really gonna have to start focusing on how I divvy up my time if I’m still gonna be writing in grad school. :p
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β€ I know you are going to be super busy, but I think you have had a lot of organization practice running the blog so I am sure you will get in to the groove of things very quickly!
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Hee hee! I hope so. Organization may be good, but time management is still pretty sketchy. π
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That is true, but you got this!! Lots of coffee!
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Hahaha. You have NO idea. π
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We need to get you an IV drip!
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Congrats!!!!! This is awesome and I loved reading your post! You write awesome reviews so it’s no surprise to me that your blog is doing so fantastic π Good luck with that PhD and cheers to two years and (hopefully) many more!
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Aww! Thank you, Angela! I’m glad you enjoyed this post and my reviews. π Your support means a lot to me and I do hope to continue blogging in the future (grad school allowing. ;p ) Time allowing, I also hope to branch out into other genres for book reviews in the future, too, particularly some adult books. (But I gotta read faster for that. Hee hee!)
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Happy two year blog-o-versary, Thanks for the mention and I love your new header image.
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Thank you, Michaela! I’m always nervous about blog changes. You never know how readers will react (especially when I keep going darker. :p ) And you’re very welcome! I wanted to acknowledge and thank those who thought of me. π
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Your welcome ππ
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Congrats and Happy two year blogiversary! π
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Thank you! π
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I really love this post and congrats on 2 years of blogging, Melanie! Here is to the next two. π
And I totally understand your point of view regarding the awards. β€
I’m looking forward to even more blog posts from you.
Sabrina
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Awww! Thank you, Sabrina! I’m glad you enjoyed my post and can understand where I’m coming from. π Thank you so much for your continued support as well. That’s what blogging is all about. π
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Happy anniversary!! It wouldn’t be the same without you! X
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Awww! Thank you, Charley! That’s so sweet of you to say! β€
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Been interesting seeing your evolution π Even if you did abandon the book group. Sniffle lol
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πͺ I am very sorry about that. I love the idea and I wish I had been able to participate more, but 2017 has been an absolutely insane year for me. (and it’s about to get worse. π³) How is the group going, by the way? We haven’t chatted lately. I hope you’re doing well. π
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2017 has been an insane year for lots of people.
It’s going fine.
I’m fine, thanks. π
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Happy Blog-o-versary Melanie! I love your attitude. Always stay true to yourself!π
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Awww! Thank you, Kim! I think being oneself is the hardest thing we struggle with because of all the outside pressures in our lives and societies, yet it’s the most important. π I hope to become an advocate for such a cause some day (when I have the time. π )
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Congratulations! I appreciate you mentioning my blog, and no worries on not doing the tag / award. I totally understand. There’s only so much time in a day. I enjoy stopping here and reading your posts. Count on at least 1 fan, but you know there are more.
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Aww! Thank you, James! π I’m glad you enjoy my posts. I hope they are as thought-provoking as I plan. π
And you’re very welcome. I always feel bad not being able to fully accept awards and tags, but this seemed like a good way to acknowledge all the wonderful people who have thought of and supported my blog lately. π
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You handled it quite well! π I am sure everyone understands.
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Congrats Melanie! That’s honest and so true what you’re saying. Theres is no right or wrong way to blog but stay ourself. Thanks Yoda LOL
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Bahahahaha! “Yoda” π I’m glad you liked my advice, Sophie. π I find that being oneself is actually quite a bit harder than we imagine what with all the societal and social pressures constantly around us. Yet, I think it’s the most important thing we can do to achieve happiness.
Thank you so much for stopping by and for always supporting me, Sophie. π
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Well always Melanie as what you write sounds “true” and that’s what I’m looking for in a blog. Sincerity and respect. You’re right about “peer pressure”. I want to do so many things I loved at other blogs beginning with improving my pictures on IG and creating amazing graphics, drawing them even. But work and life get in the way more often than what I’d like but hey it’s the way it is π
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Hahaha! No worries about finding sincerity here. :p My rants are proof of that. Hee hee!
And I hear you. I’d love to be able to have custom graphics and all that, but I can’t draw. And I can’t afford to pay someone. So, fancy fonts found online for free and some basic photoshop is as far as I get. :p
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happy 2 year-blog-o-versary! π
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Thank you, Alex! π
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Yay!!! Congrats
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Thank you, Lucy! π
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Happy blog-o-versary! π
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Thank you, Isabel! π
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Thanks so much for me mentioning us!! We really appreciate it and congrats on your 2nd blog-o-versary!
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Thank you very much! And you are most welcome! I wanted to do something since I wouldn’t be able to get a post up to accept the award. π
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